UF Job: Informatics Librarian (Join our amazing team!)

See the full posting here. I’ll get to work frequently with the person hired for this position, so I’m excited that we’re hiring and excited to meet my new colleague! I encourage folks interested to apply, and to contact UF if there are any questions on fit/role. I’m one of UF’s many tenure-accuring librarians (and tenured now) who has a PhD and does not have a library/information science degree. UF is a very open and inclusive culture, including for diversity of experience and backgrounds. Plus, we’re a great team and a great place to work!


POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION: Informatics Librarian
RANK: Assistant or Associate University Librarian
REPORTS TO: Chair, Marston Science Library
SALARY: Minimum Salary as Assistant University Librarian $46,880 Minimum Salary as Associate University Librarian $56,750 Actual salary will reflect selected professional’s experience and credentials
JOB NO: 492356
DEADLINE DATE: January 2, 2016 (review of applications will begin December 8, 2015)
Please note that this posting has specific instructions for the submission of application materials – see our website at: http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/careers.htm or the APPLICATION PROCESS section below for further details. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered.
JOB SUMMARY
The Marston Science Library at the University of Florida seeks a creative and service-oriented informatics professional to develop a campus-wide library-based informatics service initiative of datadriven discovery and analytics. The Informatics Librarian is a tenure track library faculty position with responsibilities that include assisting faculty, staff and students with appropriate data mining tools, collaborating on analytic aspects related to data design, and supporting the communication of results and predictive analysis through visualization tools. Additional responsibilities include finding and accessing data upon request; assisting in data organization for improved reuse and sharing; and providing programming consultation services. As a member of a dynamic team, responsibilities also include providing research assistance, instruction, training, and collection management to support initiatives dependent upon informatics and data science. Provides data and network analysis support services for faculty, staff and students in assigned departments and serves as liaison to the UF Informatics Institute. Provides interdisciplinary information consultation services in a variety of modes, designs workshops to promote data literacy, performs course-integrated instruction and participates in the department’s teaching program. The position is responsible for special projects as assigned, such as new service development and evaluation, and development of web-based resources. The librarian works collaboratively in group efforts and maintains professional relationships with faculty, students and colleagues. The librarian will work collaboratively with the bioinformatics librarian, Data Management Librarian and Digital Scholarship Librarian, and Data Management/Curation Task Force to develop campus-wide support.
The library encourages staff participation in reaching management decisions and consequently the Informatics Librarian will serve on various committees and teams. To support all students and faculty and foster excellence in a diverse and global society, the Informatics Librarian will be expected to include individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in work activities. The Informatics Librarian will pursue professional development opportunities, including research, publication, and professional service activities in order to meet library-wide criteria for tenure and promotion.
RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provides expertise and consultation services in the areas of data mining, data and network analysis, and visualization.
  • Develops a nationally recognized program in library-based informatics support services at the George A. Smathers Libraries based on the needs and goals of the UF Informatics Institute (https://informatics.research.ufl.edu/)
  • Develops and provides data literacy instruction programs using traditional classroom and active learning methods as well as innovative educational technologies
  • Provides liaison services to the faculty, post-docs, students, and staff in assigned departments, programs, and the Informatics Institute. Liaison services include instruction, training, consultation, collection development, and other client-centered services as identified.
  • Cultivates relationships with faculty and researchers to identify opportunities for library partnerships
  • Participates in planning, policy formation and departmental decision making related to services, resources and new technologies
  • Contributes to the library’s planning effort through membership on University and Library committees and other consultative bodies as appropriate
  • Performs scholarly research and provides service at the institutional and professional levels as related to assignment and in accordance with tenure and promotion criteria
  • Participates in science collection management program. Selects and evaluates subject-based materials and works with faculty in selecting materials to support their academic and research programs
  • Participates in the provision of reference and research services including staffing service desks and chat services
  • Applies for grants in support of informatics initiatives and provides support to grant writers in assigned academic units and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

  • Master’s degree in computer or information science, or an equivalent advanced degree in a similar data-intensive discipline
  • Experience using basic informatics resources
  • Eight years of relevant post graduate degree experience for appointment at the Associate University Librarian rank
  • Strong commitment to user-focused service
  • Background in database architecture, statistics, and/or network analysis
  • Knowledge of trends and issues related to data science and informatics services
  • Experience with development and delivery of training
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team within a culturally diverse user community of faculty, students, administrators and the general public
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
  • Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to adapt and work creatively in a complex, rapidly changing academic environment
  • Strong potential for meeting the requirements of tenure and promotion outlined at http://library.ufl.edu/cdh

Preferred:

  • Ph.D. in computer or information science or advanced certificate in data science, informatics, or similar data-intensive discipline
  • Experience providing informatics services
  • Knowledge of or proficiency in programming languages such as Python, PERL, Java, or experience with statistical or data analysis tools such as R or SAS
  • Experience in creating, promoting and executing new programs or services
  • Experience with and enthusiasm for instruction
  • Record of including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in research, teaching, service and other work

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities. UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 50,000 students. For more information, please consult the UF homepage at http://www.ufl.edu.
GEORGE A. SMATHERS LIBRARIES
The libraries of the University of Florida form the largest information resource system in the state of Florida. The UF Libraries consist of seven libraries; six are in the system known as the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. The libraries hold over 5,800,000 print volumes, 8,100,000 microfilms, 630,000 e-books, 121,016 full-text electronic journals, 889 electronic databases, 1,300,000 documents and 766,000 maps and images. The libraries have built a number of nationally significant research collections, including the Latin American, Judaica, Florida History, Children’s Literature, and Maps and Imagery Collections. The Smathers Libraries are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), and LYRASIS. The library staff consists of more than 400 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The organizational chart is available at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/orgchart.pdf.
MARSTON SCIENCE LIBRARY
The Marston Science Library (MSL), named for Robert Q. Marston, the seventh president of the University of Florida, houses collections in agriculture, life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, mathematics and earth sciences. MSL boasts an energetic and diverse team of 11 library faculty and 11 staff that support a highly collaborative environment offering an array of services, including 3-D printing and scanning, GIS, and data management support. The library’s Collaboration Commons can accommodate over 700 students and includes a Mobile App Development Environment (MADE@UF) designed to facilitate the development of mobile apps, games, and offer mentorship and a visualization room that supports visualization of large research data and collaborative projects.
COMMUNITY
Gainesville, Florida and the surrounding community are home to approximately 240,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Situated just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the city is surrounded by over 40 nature parks, including many springfed lakes and rivers. In 2007, Gainesville was ranked as the “Best Place to Live and Work” by Frommer’s Cities Ranked and Rated and as one of the “Best Places to Live and Play” by National Geographic Adventure. Gainesville is known as an innovative municipal government and an innovative city. Gainesville continues to receive national recognition as a top-rated city. Some of Gainesville’s accolades are listed at the Gainesville Awards and Recognition link. A recent article in Florida Trend Magazine offers an in depth Community Portrait of Gainesville and the University of Florida. Gainesville was featured in the Top 100 Best Places to Love 2014 on Livability, America’s Best Places to Live & Visit. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two hour drive.
BENEFITS
Vacation days, paid holidays, and sick leave days; retirement plan options; insurance benefits; tuition fee waiver program; no state or local income tax. Prospective employees should review the information about employment and benefits at UF available at http://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/. APPLICATION PROCESS The University of Florida is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minority group members. We are dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic environment; we strongly encourage applications from women, members of underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. As part of the application process, applicants are invited to complete an on-line confidential and voluntary demographic self-disclosure form which can be found at: http://www.hr.ufl.edu/job/datacard.htm. This information is collected by the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resources to track applicant trends and is in no way considered by the Smathers Libraries in the selection process. To apply, submit 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position; 2) a written statement regarding the emerging trend of incorporating informatics in the array of academic library information services (250 words); 3) your current resume or CV; and 4) a list of three references including their contact information (address, telephone number, and email). Apply by January 2, 2016 (review of applications will begin December 8, 2015). Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/492356/informaticslibrarian. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact Bonnie Smith, Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at bonniesmith@ufl.edu. Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

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